Hallettsville, Texas

From the Victoria Advocate of May 31, 2006

Man will not face trial after shooting

Robert Bludau will not face trial in connection with the Jan. 22 shooting of Israel Calderon after a Lavaca County grand jury no-billed him last week.

The shooting occurred during a party at a home near the Hope community. Calderon died two days later.

District Attorney Vicki Pattillo said that under state law, a finding of “no bill” means the findings of the grand jury are not subject to open records requests.

She said that, in her opinion, the case was no-billed based on self-defense and defense of third-party issues.

The defense attorney agreed.

“I think all the evidence collected showed that the shooting was done in self-defense,” said Houston Munson Jr., defense attorney. “The district attorney’s office was aboveboard on everything involving the case and the presentation of the evidence collected by the Department of Public Safety, the DPS crime lab and the (Lavaca County) Sheriff’s Office. After the results of the various investigations were presented, the grand jury decided to return a no bill.”

Bludau, 44, of Hallettsville, was arrested the morning of Jan. 22 on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon at his home at 598 County Road 445, where the shooting occurred.

He was released that same morning after posting $100,000 bail.

The shooting was reported to the sheriff’s office around 11:40 the night before.

Calderon, 35, was in critical condition when he was transported by emergency helicopter to Wilford Hall Hospital in San Antonio. Calderon died on Jan. 24, according to the sheriff’s office report.

Calderon had a Dallas address on his driver’s license but had been living in Victoria.

Texas Ranger Dewayne Goll assisted in the investigation and prepared the probable cause affidavit for the arrest warrant issued for Bludau.

The affidavit stated the incident started with a call to the sheriff’s office that Saturday night with the caller saying a man at the home was creating a disturbance and refused to leave. Three minutes later, the sheriff’s office received a second call from the same location reporting the shooting.

Munson said his client’s explanation of what happened was similar to that of the affidavit. Munson said he was told Calderon was attending a family gathering with his girlfriend, became belligerent and was asked to leave. After eventually agreeing to leave, Munson said, Calderon returned, had a knife and was threatening Bludau when the shooting occurred. Munson said both Calderon’s girlfriend and Bludau’s fiancée tried to restrain Calderon from attacking Bludau, but the women were pushed away just before any shots were fired.

“I have a lot of respect for Ranger Goll and how he conducts investigations and presents evidence,” Munson said. “I know the investigators looked at the time frame, what evidence was collected and sent to the DPS crime lab, like ballistics reports and blood spatter patterns, and offered it to the grand jury without bias.”

Gwinnett County, Georgia

From Atlanta’s WSBtv.com of May 30, 2006

Teenaged Burglar Shot By Homeowner

Police say a man shot and wounded a teenager he found in his home – attempting to rob him.

Police say 27-year-old Ronald Ramsey arrived at his Lawrenceville home Tuesday afternoon and found 17-year-old Alrazi Basher of Duluth inside, robbing him. Officials say when Basher tried to flee the home, Ramsey shot at Basher and hit him and his vehicle.

Basher drove to a friend’s house nearby, running over a street sign along the way. The friend called 911 after seeing Basher had been shot. Basher was taken to Gwinnett Medical Center to be treated. He is currently listed in serious condition.

The Ford SUV that Basher used to drive to a friend’s house had been stolen from Lawrenceville. Officials say they found stolen property from other burglaries inside the vehicle.

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing. Police say Ramsey is cooperating with authorities.

Basher has been charged with one count of burglary and one count of theft by receiving a motor vehicle.

From the Gwinnett Post of June 6, 2006

Police won’t charge man in shooting of burglar

Police have decided not to charge a Lawrenceville homeowner who shot and injured an alleged burglar at his home last week.

Detective S.K. Shaw of the Gwinnett County Police Department said Monday he will not take out any arrest warrants for 27-year-old Ronald Ramsey. The case file will be forwarded to Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter’s office for review.

“There was no overt violation of criminal law the way we interpret the code section, but obviously Danny may be able to interpret it a little better than us,” Shaw said.

Ramsey had a valid permit to carry a concealed weapon, according to police. He could not be reached for comment Monday because his phone number is unlisted. Shaw said Ramsey had been staying with family members in order to avoid media that have attempted to contact him at home.

Ramsey returned to his house on Oakland Walk Court May 30 to find a teenager in the process of burglarizing it. Ramsey’s 3-year-old twins were in the car with him at the time, Shaw said.

Police believe Ramsey grabbed a gun that was in his car and fired several shots at the suspect, later identified as 17-year-old Alrazi Basher, as the teen was walking toward a stolen Ford Expedition parked on the street. One of the bullets struck Basher in the abdomen and several others damaged the SUV.

(Recap the incident)

Detroit, Michigan

From the Detroit Free Press of May 30, 2006

No murder charge for man who shot rapper Proof, prosecutor says

The man who shot and killed Detroit rapper Proof acted in self defense and will not face murder charges, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said Tuesday.

Mario Etheridge, 28, shot Proof, whose real name is Deshaun Holton, after Proof allegedly shot and killed Etheridge’s cousin, Keith Bender Jr., a U.S. Army veteran.

“The evidence clearly shows that Mario Etheridge acted in lawful self-defense of another when he shot Deshaun Holton,” Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said Tuesday.

The C.C.C. club on 8 Mile was the place where Proof, 32, a close friend of Eminem and a member of the rap group D12, was shot three times in the head and chest after a fight about 4:30 a.m. April 11 — more than two hours after the club was required by law to close.

Before his death, Proof, shot the 35-year-old Bender, police said. Bender died a week later.

Etheridge, who prosecutors said shot Proof, was charged last month with gun felonies, but not with the killing. Police said Etheridge, a bouncer at the bar, shot Proof after the rapper shot Bender in a fight over a pool game.

Nebo, North Carolina

From Marion’s McDowell News of May 30, 2006

Squabble leads to gunfire, one hurt

A confrontation in Nebo Saturday night landed one man in the hospital with a gunshot wound to the chest.

Shortly after 9:30 p.m., McDowell County sheriff’s deputies were called to a residence on Southern Way owned by Darrell Freeman.

Capt. Dudley Greene of the Sheriff’s Office said Freeman and several others were in his yard, when 34-year-old Mark Anthony Salyer of Southern Way showed up unannounced.

Witness said a confrontation ensued and Salyer brandished a weapon, the captain stated.

That’s when Freeman shot Salyer once in the chest with a .45-caliber handgun, according to Greene.

“No charges have been filed at this time, but we continue to investigate,” said the captain. “We’re still sorting out the details.”

Salyer was airlifted to Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville, where he was listed in serious but stable condition early Sunday morning.

However, authorities say they received word later that Salyer was released.

No one by that name was listed as a patient at the hospital Sunday evening.

Boring, Oregon

From Beaverton’s KPTV.com of May 30, 2006

Intruder Shot Multiple Times

A 9-1-1 call from a woman in Boring reported that a man who had been harassing her, broke into her residence and her boyfriend shot the intruder multiple times.

It happened at about 2:30 a.m.

Clackamas County Sheriff’s officials say the woman told them the intruder had been stalking her. She says the man physically forced his way into her residence.

The man, reported to be 49-years-old, was shot multiple times with a handgun in the upper torso and is reported to be in stable condition. He was air lifted to Legacy Emanuel Hospital.

Authorities say he drove a motorcycle to the address before the shooting.

The woman knows the man by name but denies ever having any type of prior romantic involvement.

No arrests have been made at this stage of the investigation.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

From MyrtleBeachOnline.com of May 30, 2006

2 gunned down in botched robbery

Police: Muggers, victims trade shots

Two men were killed early Monday in a gunfight sparked by an armed robbery attempt near the intersection of Cassandra Lane and 22nd Avenue South, Myrtle Beach police said.

The incident occurred within about 10 blocks of a robbery and shooting that took place in the 1300 block of Kings Highway a day earlier. That incident was not fatal. Police have not said whether the two incidents are related.

Terry Smith, 26, of Hopkins, died about 4 a.m. Monday in the street at Cassandra Lane and 22nd Avenue. Jonathan McCullough, 18, of Greenville, died about 45 minutes later at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center.

A police incident report said that Smith and a friend, Charles Melvin Stocker Jr., 26, of Hopkins, were near Cassandra and 22nd when McCullough and another person approached and tried to rob them at gunpoint.

During the robbery, McCullough shot and killed Smith, police said. Stocker then pulled a gun he had and fired on McCullough, police said.

Horry County Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard said both men were shot multiple times while within a few feet of each other. She said autopsies will be performed today.

Police said charges are pending against two adults and a 15-year-old boy.

McCall, Idaho

From Boise’s KTVB.com of May 30, 2006

Shooting leaves one dead in McCall

A Valley County man is dead, and the man who pulled the trigger says he did it in self-defense.

The 26-year old shooter admitted to police that he killed the man, but he says he did it for his own protection.

Because he has not been charged with a crime–police are not releasing his name.

The deceased is 23-year old James Prescott. Police say he was shot at least twice – once each in the chest and stomach.

He died Monday morning at McCall Memorial Hospital. The victim’s two brothers 21-year old Patrick Prescott and 24-year old William Prescott were taken into custody on aggravated battery charges.

McCall police chief Jerry Summers says it happened just after 4:30am Memorial Day at a home on Lakeside Avenue – near Lardo’s Restaurant.

According to police 11 people were at a party in the home when a fight broke out.

Police say a number of metal weapons were used in the fight.

The shooter tells police the Prescott brothers attacked him with the weapons, and that’s when he shot James Prescott in self-defense.

“The shooter is a 26-year old adult male whose name is being held at this time,” Chief Jerry Summers with the McCall Police Department said. “No charges have been filed and the circumstances surrounding the shooting are under investigation. the charges on the admitted shooter will be determined after an autopsy was performed.”

An autopsy will be performed on the body within the next few days.

Chief Summers says the two Prescott brothers are in custody now and will be arraigned tomorrow.

As for the man who admitted to pulling the trigger – he was released from custody, pending further investigation.

From Boise’s KTVB.com of May 30, 2006

New details in McCall shooting

We now have a better picture of what led to a fatal shooting in McCall Monday morning. Prosecutors painted of three young men out for revenge.

The end result – their own brother was killed – and they are now behind bars.

24-year-old William Prescott and his brother 21-year-old Patrick Prescott are charged with three counts of aggravated battery.

Prosecutors say it’s for their role in what resulted in the shooting death of their own brother – 23-year-old James Prescott.

The prosecutor says two brothers came to this home on and got into a fight.

“You can see William has bruises, he was attacked by 15 people,” Sam Hoagland, Defense Attorney said.

The two brothers left – and according to the prosecutor – returned with their brother and returned with weapons.

One came back with a hammer – another with rebar – the third the equivalent of brass knuckles – and all three wearing mouth guards.

Prosecutors say – a clear sign they were ready and willing to get into a fight.

‘When you come equipped with mouthpieces and things like that, you’re coming equipped for a brawl,” Matt Williams, Valley Co. Prosecutor “It’s not just I’m gonna punch you and get you back. and some of that clearly was motivation revenge motivation for the fight previously and the fact that they were outnumbered and they were coming back for revenge on that.”

Police say the man that killed Preston says he acted in self-defense, and no charges will be filed.

Prosecutors asked for $25,000 bail – but the judge reduced the amount for each to $100,000.

Recognizing they are both grieving the loss of their brother – but also calling them a danger to the community.

The Prescott’s will have their preliminary hearing in June – meanwhile the family is making funeral arrangements for James Prescott.

Memphis, Tennessee

From Memphis’ ABC24.com of May 29, 2006

Store Owner Shoots Robber

A South Memphis business owner fights back against armed robbers. Memphis police say Adam Obsiye shot one of three men trying to rob his store Sunday. It happened just before midnight. It was the second attack by robbers on “Lauderdale Market” on South Lauderdale Street in as many days. Police say two armed men held up the store clerk on Saturday afternoon. They took six hundred dollars in cash and packs of cigarettes.

Adam Obsiye South Memphis convenience store and his native Somalia would seem to have little in common. But his friends say they do. Ali Mohammed says, “It’s the same over here and over there. Same. People over there killing people. People over here killing people. It’s the same thing. Ain’t nothing different. Ain’t no peace.”

Memphis Police say as Obsiye was closing up shop Sunday night, two armed men stormed into his store. A third man waited outside. When they two robbers inside demanded money from Obsiye, the store owner grabbed his pistol and started shooting. He hit one in the thigh as they ran out of his store. Mohammed says Obsiye was frightened by the robbers. He says, “He was scared. He didn’t know what to do.”

(More)

Austin, Texas

From the News8Austin.com of May 29, 2006

Suspected burglar shot

An East Austin man got a rude awakening early Monday morning about 5 a.m.

Police were called to an apartment at East 11th Street and Chicon on reports a man had been shot.

The victim was taken to Brackenridge Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Police are investigating the incident as a home invasion.

The identities of the victim and suspect have not been released

Mooresville, Indiana

From the Martinsville Reporter-Times of May 28, 2006

Shot fired during robbery attempt

Mooresville jewelry store owner fires gun after robber enters with weapon; no one injured

A Mooresville business was reportedly the target of an armed robber Friday night, but the owner fired first.

According to Mooresville Police Department preliminary reports, the owner of Hasting’s Jewelry, 354 S. Indiana St., saw a man walk up to the entrance of his store shortly before 6 p.m.

The man pulled a red hood over his face, took out a handgun and entered the store. The owner, who was not identified, also had a handgun. As the man entered the store, the owner stood up with his weapon.

Officers said the robber told the owner, “Don’t do it, man, I’ll kill you.”

According to police, the owner then discharged his weapon, striking the top of a display case. The bullet ricocheted off a large pair of scissors, then went out a window.

After the shot, the would-be robber fled the business. Police said a witness saw a man leaving the business and getting into a red or maroon Chevrolet Trail Blazer or Suburban.

The vehicle then reportedly headed west on Ind. 42. The witness told officers the license plate had the numbers “2181” on it.

The man was described as white, and between 6-foot-3 and 6-foot-5. His weapon was described as a 1911 .45-caliber stainless steel handgun.

Officers were unsuccessful in finding the bullet that went through the window.

The owner hit a panic button, and officers were at his store within a minute of the call.

Nashua, New Hampshire

From the Nashua Telegraph of May 26, 2006

Burglar chased by teen faces robbery charge

A Hudson teen chased two burglars from his family’s home at gunpoint last year, a prosecutor said.

One of the burglars, Joshua Gagnon, 21, of Nashua, has since been charged in connection with the armed robbery of St. Mary’s Bank in Hudson on April 18.

The other, Ralph Carey, 22, of Nashua, pleaded guilty last year to the Hudson break-in and three other burglaries in Nashua.

Gagnon pleaded guilty to the Hudson burglary and had been scheduled to be sentenced Thursday. However, the case was postponed because he wasn’t transported from the Strafford County jail, where he has been held pending federal bank robbery charges, Assistant Hillsborough County Attorney Patricia LaFrance said.

Gagnon and Carey broke into a house on Derry Street in Hudson shortly before 2 p.m. on Jan. 17, 2005, according to court records.

A 16-year-old boy was home, in the basement at the time, and heard them breaking into the house, LaFrance said. The boy went upstairs, and saw two strangers outside, in the rear of the house, apparently trying to force their way inside, the teen told police.

The boy ran up to his mother’s bedroom, took a handgun from her dresser drawer and hid in the bedroom closet, he told police. The boy could hear the burglars rummaging around downstairs, and in time, they came upstairs.

One of the burglars spotted the empty holster on the bed, and remarked that there must be a gun in the house, LaFrance said. Prosecutors believe that Gagnon and Carey, like most burglars, were drug addicts looking for items they could quickly pawn or trade for drugs, LaFrance said.

When the burglars opened the closet door, however, the teen confronted them with the gun, and told them he would shoot if they didn’t back off. The teen then chased the duo from the house, yelling at them, LaFrance said.

“To be truthful, they’re lucky they didn’t get shot,” she said.

Police later tracked Carey and Gagnon down after one of them made phone calls using a cell phone they stole from the house, LaFrance said. The teen identified their photos, she said.

Dunklin County, Missouri

From May 22, 2006 KAIT channel 8, Jonesboro, Arkansas:

A quite evening in Dunklin County turned into a wild night over the weekend when Punkin Center resident Ronald Moody was attacked in his home by an unknown assailant.

“Mr. Moody put his left hand to fend him off and he noticed he had blood on his arm, so he began to think (the intruder) has something in his hand and that he was stabbed,” said Dunklin County Sheriff Bob Holder, “Moody pulls out the pistol and start firing. He shot about three shots, but it is unknown if he hit the subject or not.”

According to the Dunklin County Sheriff’s Department, Moody described the man as a white male, 35 to 40-years-old, about 5′10″ tall and weighing around 190 pounds. The intruder also was depicted with black hair, a week old beard and tattoos all over both arms, but his whereabouts are currently unknown. Moody was treated and released from the hospital with minor injuries.

“We have checked area hospitals and no one has checked in with bullet wounds or anything, so right now we are still at step one,” said Holder.

St. Stephen, South Carolina

From the May 18, 2006 The State:

ST. STEPHEN — A 52-year-old St. Stephen man has died after being shot during a struggle with his wife, authorities said.

Prosecutor Blair Jennings said no criminal charges are expected to be filed in the death of Robert Lawrence Horne.

Shortly before 10 p.m. Tuesday, sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Horne’s home, where they found his wife, Valerie Humbert Horne, sitting on the floor, an incident report said. Her husband’s body was lying nearby, and a silver-colored revolver was on the kitchen table.

The man had been arguing with his 23-year-old daughter over her relationship and said he wanted to kick her out of the house, Jennings said. The daughter fled the house after the man pointed a gun at her and threatened to kill her, Sheriff’s Capt. Rick Ollic said.

Robert Lawrence Horne then threatened to kill his wife and armed himself with three handguns, Ollic said.

During an ensuing struggle, Horne’s wife fired the gun.

Los Angeles, California

From Los Angeles’ NBC4.tv of May 26, 2006

Caught On Tape: Clerk Grabs Gun From Robber

A clerk disarmed a robber and turned the gun on the two assailants Wednesday night in an Inland Empire convenience store.

The clerk’s quick move was captured on the store’s surveillance camera.

As one of the men walked around the store, another man pointed a gun at the clerk. The clerk reached over the counter and grabbed the gun.

The two men fled from the store.

No shots were fired. No one was injured, according to police.

Police said they discourage people from attempting to disarm an assailant.

Richmond, Texas

From the Houston Chronicle of May 26, 2006

Two teens wounded in attempted Rosenberg car theft

Two teenagers who attempted to steal a Rosenberg man’s car at gunpoint were shot and wounded when the victim managed to pull his own pistol and open fire.

The incident happened just a block from the Richmond police station about 1 a.m. this morning, said Richmond police Sgt. Lowell Neinast.

Neinast said McRon Thompson, 23, had just left work and was at a car wash in the 1400 block of Jackson when he noticed three vehicles drive slowly through the parking lot. The vehicles left and then returned a few minutes later.

Thompson became suspicious and got a pistol from his car and loaded it and put it in his pocket.

A few minutes later Thompson saw [sic] was confronted by a masked gunman who demanded that Thompson get into the trunk of Thompson’s vehicle.

While one suspect held Thompson at gunpoint, another suspect, later identified as Joshua Payne, 18, of Brookshire, drove Thompson’s car to the 500 block of Calhoun. The men ordered Thompson out of the car and at that point he managed to get his pistol from his pocket and open fire on the pair.

Payne was shot in the back and the 15-year-old in the right shoulder.

The gunfire attracted the attention of police just one block away who rushed to the scene on foot and captured both suspects.

Payne was taken by Life Flight to Memorial Hermann Hospital and the 15-year-old to to Ben Taub Hospital where their conditions were not immediately available.

Both suspects face charges of aggravated robbery. No charges are expected against Thompson, Neinast said.